10 books entrepreneurs should read when holidaying
As an entrepreneur your life is busy, and you may not always find the time to curl up with your favourite book. How then can you fulfil your love for reading? Carry your stack of favourite reads while you are travelling for a stress-free holiday. An old saying goes: ‘Not all readers are leaders, but all leaders are readers’. So reading can also help build your leadership skills.
An ideal mix would be to carry a few uplifting and motivational books along with entrepreneurial ones. Scroll through this list, specially curated for all entrepreneurs out there:
The Entrepreneur Mind: 100 Essential Beliefs, Characteristics and Habits of Elite Entrepreneurs by Kevin D. Johnson:
“All entrepreneurs must ask themselves three vital questions that concern their business strategy: Where are we now? Where do we want to be? How do we get there?”
One of the finest reads by Kevin D. Johnson, this book is a total knockout in terms of sharing some intriguing beliefs of inspiring entrepreneurs in the most gratifying way. It explains how the definition of leadership has undergone a revolutionary change. It also takes readers through unconventional habits of successful elite entrepreneurs.
The Silent Revolution: Dynamic Leadership in the Student Council by Kent M. Keith
“Give the world the best you have and you'll get kicked in the teeth.
Give the world the best you have anyway.”
This book was written for high school leaders and has commandments about working in harmony with the system to attain mutual goals. It explains how dynamism can be achieved at the workplace by delivering your best at all times. Recharge your concepts by taking excerpts from student council leaders and try to incorporate them into your working style.
Rethinking Positive Thinking: Inside the New Science of Motivation by Gabriele Oettingen
“The solution isn’t to do away with dreaming and positive thinking. Rather, it’s making the most of our fantasies by brushing them up against the very thing most of us are taught to ignore or diminish: the obstacles that stand in our way.”
This bestseller contains some of the most enlightening thoughts on optimism. It has redefined motivation with positive thinking. This new art of reinforcing optimism at the workplace is the key to achieving higher levels of motivation, and the only way to do this is by challenging the roadblocks on an everyday basis.
Leadership Is an Art by Max DePree
“Stimulate effectiveness by enabling others to reach both their personal potential and their institutional potential”
This is a rather interesting construction on motivating your team to give equal attention to both personal and organisational targets. This profound selection puts together beliefs of why leadership is an art – an art of getting things done by people in the most effective way.
Seriously... I'm Kidding by Ellen DeGeneres
“Find out who you are and figure out what you believe in. Even if it's different from what your neighbours believe in and different from what your parents believe in. Stay true to yourself. Have your own opinion. Don't worry about what people say about you or think about you. Let the naysayers nay. They will eventually grow tired of naying.”
This book can totally top your list of favourites for its wit as the story of a compassionate woman who participated in American Idol unfolds. It stresses on the importance of loving yourself. It is all about accepting who you are, why it is important not to adhere to stereotypes and making a difference to others.
The Leader Who Had No Title: A Modern Fable on Real Success in Business and in Life by Robin S. Sharma
“Change is hardest at the beginning, messiest in the middle and best at the end”
This bestseller has excerpts from a professional’s life about all that it takes to have a flourishing career, definitely making it a good read while you’re holidaying. It elucidates how in modern times, business and life are two sides of the same coin and how winning in both is vital.
The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You're Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are by Brene Brown
“The dark does not destroy the light; it defines it. It's our fear of the dark that casts our joy into the shadows”
This book talks about self-worth, on how you are unique and how why you should be proud of it. As a leader, this book will help you understand team dynamics better and help you maximise output with minimum effort.
Like the Flowing River by Paulo Coelho
“Sometimes, we are so attached to our way of life that we turn down wonderful opportunities simply because we don't know what to do with it”
After The Alchemist, Paulo Coelho wins our hearts with yet another book about how the greatest experiences in life unfold in the most unexpected ways. It draws attention by stating that the biggest joys can be experienced from the smallest and most unexpected encounters. It’s an ultimate masterpiece that your travel diary needs.
Believing in Ourselves: The Wisdom of Women by Coco Chanel
“Success is most often achieved by those who don't know that failure is inevitable”
This excellent piece of work talks about the wisdom of women in their ever-changing role in the most phenomenal way. It talks of wisdom from a woman’s standpoint. Catch hold of this book for some interesting insights of a woman’s life.
Tribes: We Need You to Lead Us by Seth Godin
“The secret of leadership is simple: Do what you believe in. Paint a picture of the future. Go there. People will follow”
One of the many bestselling books by Seth Godin, this compilation stresses on the modern definition of leadership that revolves around the zeal to change things. It describes the relevance of tribes from ancient to modern times. Great emphasis has been laid on why every tribe/team needs a leader.
Reading great books has a great impact in the way you look at challenges and hurdles that come along in the life of an entrepreneur. Many of these books make us look at things from other people’s perspectives. So make sure your next holiday is nothing short of enlightening in the company of the most eye-opening books. You will be amazed to realise how mentally rejuvenated and professionally motivated you will return home.
